Third-place games at the state basketball tournament can challenge a team's intensity, but the Annawan Bravettes answered the call Saturday at Redbird Arena.

Annawan outscored Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City 16-5 in the fourth quarter to rally for a 47-37 victory and claim the third-place trophy at the Class 1A state tourney.

"That's not our style," said Annawan coach Jason Burkiewicz when asked about teams going through the motions in the third-place game. "I knew the girls would come back and play hard. We made it a little more difficult than we had to with all of the layups we missed."

The 2012-13 Bravettes brought home the program's first state basketball trophy and matched the school record for wins in a season — set by last year's squad — with 30.

"That was our goal since we started playing in high school," said Megan Foes of playing at state. "It was a great feeling and great experience to get down here."

"It's always been a dream of ours," said Maddie Jackson.

The Bravettes broke open a tight third-place game with a big fourth quarter. Trailing 32-31 going into the final eight minutes, Annawan opened the final frame with an 8-0 run.

"It felt good to give ourselves a little bit of distance," said Burkiewicz.

Jackson started the run with a pair of free throws to put Annawan on top 33-32. The lead ballooned to 39-32 as Morgan VanHyfte scored on a drive to the hoop, Celina VanHyfte knocked down two free throws and Jackson scored off a steal by Paige Randall.

Alyssa Thompson gave the Bravettes a double-digit lead, 45-35, with a pair of free throws with 45 seconds remaining.

Prior to the fourth quarter, four points was the biggest lead either team enjoyed and the lead changed hands eight times in the second quarter before the teams headed to the break tied at 22-all.

C-H/B-C grabbed a 30-26 lead midway through the third quarter on a 3-pointer by Chelsea Ward, but consecutive hoops by Celina VanHyfte and Jackson helped the Bravettes pull within 32-31 heading to the fourth quarter.

Jackson and Celina VanHyfte led Annawan with 16 points apiece, while C-H/B-C standout Micah Jones closed her career with 13 points and 21 rebounds.

"A lot of other teams in the state of Illinois would love to be here," said C-H/B-C head coach Carolyn Wendte as her team claimed its third state trophy in the past four seasons. "Right now it's pain that has set in, but one day they will realize the accomplishments that they have made."

Excited for 2013-14 season

The Bravettes had yet to get their hands on the third-place trophy, and questions about the 2013-14 season were already being posed.

Page 2 of 2 - Annawan returns all five starters — Celina VanHyfte, Megan Foes, Maddie Jackson, Paige Randall and Morgan VanHyfte — from this year's team and will have Alleman transfers Cierra and Dominique Davis in the fold next season.

"We feel like we have seven starters coming back," said Burkiewicz. "We're ready for next year. We're excited and it's going to be an exciting time."

"Our goal next year is to get back here and end the season with a win again, but hopefully it's first place," said Celina VanHyfte.

"She earned the start today," said Burkiewicz. "I wanted to get her a start because of how she played for us down the stretch and how she played for us as a sixth man all season."

Thompson came up big for the Bravettes in the super-sectional win over Iroquois West. Starting for injured Celina VanHyfte, Thompson scored 12 points and knocked down three 3-pointers in the 45-40 win.

‘My heart broke for her’

As Celina VanHyfte battled her way through an ankle injury at the state tourney, an injury to fellow all-stater Micah Jones led to a moment that represents the good in sports during the third-place game.

Jones went down hard on her knee in the backcourt early in the fourth quarter. With Annawan pushing the ball up court, VanHyfte was in the backcourt with Jones signaling for a timeout.

"My heart broke for her," said VanHyfte of Jones. "She looked like she was in pain and I just wanted to help her out."

The moment also shook Jones, who underwent meniscus surgery her freshman and feared another knee injury.

"That really scared me," said Jones.

Fortunately for the C-H/B-C star, she was able to return to the game at the 5:34 mark and close her high school career on the Redbird Arena floor.

VanHyfte played her best postseason game since hurting her ankle prior to the Elite 8 game, finishing with 16 points, seven rebounds and seven blocks.

"It was a little bit more sore today, but I had more movement in it," said VanHyfte.